Despite the urgency of her condition, Leibenko's decision not to protect herself with travel insurance has left some with little sympathy for her situation.

A number of Star commenters criticized the Toronto woman for failing to shell out a few hundred extra dollars to protect herself presuming she could "already afford an expensive holiday" and suggesting she wouldn't be receiving media attention were she not young and beautiful.

Others showed more empathy, blasting those who have found it easy to judge from behind a computer screen and wondering where shared humanity has gone.

Underneath the chaos, however, there's a young life in crisis and a family in distress.

There's also a gut-wrenching reminder why travel insurance can be the most important item you take on your trip.